Sea Eagles too strong for Roosters

The Manly Sea Eagles consolidated their place in the top eight with a 33-16 win over the Sydney Roosters in their round 18 National Rugby League match at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.

The Sea Eagles led 14-0 at half-time and were never seriously challenged by the Roosters, who have now lost their past six matches.

Manly scored five tries to the home side's three, including one to half-back Brett Orford who finished with a perfect scoresheet - kicking five conversions, a penalty goal and field goal.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Sea Eagles, who move to 20 points on the NRL ladder.

The Roosters played with controlled aggression early, but it was the Sea Eagles who notched the first points of the match.

A penalty gifted Manly excellent field position and prop Brent Kite took full advantage for the visitors.

Orford turned the ball inside to Kite near the 40 metre line and the prop brushed past two defenders before fending off a last-ditch effort from Roosters full-back Amos Roberts to score out wide.

Orford added the extras to extend Manly's lead to 6-0.

The Sea Eagles were lucky not to lose centre Chris Hicks to the sin-bin when he tackled Roberts without the ball with the Roosters threatening in attack.

Referee Paul Simpkins awarded a penalty, but the Roosters were bundled into touch as play progressed.

Hicks rubbed salt into the home side's wounds by scoring his side's second try in the 19th minute. The centre made a break up field after a poor miss by Roosters half-back Brett Finch, and offloaded to full-back Brett Stewart in support.

Stewart streaked away, but as the cover defence closed he flicked a pass out the back to Hicks, who scored under the posts. Orford was again successful with the conversion and the Sea Eagles jumped out to a 12-point lead.

The Roosters' best chance came in the 31st minute when Craig Wing targeted the corner, but centre Steve Matai and Stewart were on the spot to push him into touch.

The Roosters surrendered a penalty late in the half for being off side with the Sea Eagles attacking close to their line. Orford made no mistake with the penalty kick to give his side a better than two-try advantage at the break.

Second half

The Sea Eagles looked set to runaway with the match when Orford ran 60 metres to score a try in the 46th minute.

But the Roosters responded with two four-pointers in five minutes - Mickey Paea and Iosia Soliola the tryscorers.

Paea crossed in the 53rd minute after a receiving a short pass from Roberts, who easily wriggled out of poor tackle by Manly lock Ben Kennedy. Second rower Craig Fitzgibbon added the extras to reduce the margin to 14 points.

Weight of possession produced Soliola's try, the centre crossing out wide after receiving a lovely long pass from Finch. Fitzgibbon slipped as he attempted his second conversion and the ball floated wide, leaving the score at 20-10.

But any chance of a Roosters' comeback was short-lived when Stewart crossed for the Sea Eagles in the 62nd minute.

A high ball from Orford was batted back by second rower Anthony Watmough, and Stewart scooped it up with one hand to score out wide. Orford added the extras and a field goal shortly after to put the match out of the home side's reach.

The Sea Eagles and Roosters traded late tries through George Rose and Ashley Harrison respectively, but they mattered little with the two points already in Manly's hands.